Stopwatch & Timer

How to use the Stopwatch

Click "Start" to begin timing. Click "Lap" at any point to record a split time without stopping the clock — useful for tracking segments during a run, workout, or task. Click "Start" again (it becomes "Pause") to pause the timer, and "Reset" to clear everything and start fresh.

Common uses for a stopwatch

A browser-based stopwatch is handy for timing workouts, cooking, study sessions, presentations, sports practice, or any activity where you want to track elapsed time and compare lap splits without needing a separate physical stopwatch or app.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this stopwatch?
The stopwatch updates to tenths of a second and is accurate for everyday timing purposes like workouts and cooking. For scientific or highly precise timing needs, a dedicated instrument may be more appropriate.

Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?
Yes, as long as the browser tab remains open (even in the background), the stopwatch continues running accurately.

Is my lap data stored anywhere?
No. This tool is part of the Toolyard collection of free, browser-based utilities. All timing happens locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded to or stored on a server, and lap times reset when you refresh the page.

Stopwatch versus countdown timer — which do you need?

A stopwatch counts up from zero and is the right tool when you don't know in advance how long something will take — timing a workout set, a presentation rehearsal, or how long a task actually takes versus how long you assumed it would. A countdown timer, by contrast, counts down from a fixed time and suits tasks with a known deadline, like a cooking step or a timed exam. Both are useful; they just answer different questions.

Practical uses

Coaches and athletes timing intervals, students timing practice tests to build exam pacing, and professionals tracking how long a specific task genuinely takes (useful for freelancers billing by the hour, or anyone doing a personal time audit) are common users. The lap function lets you record multiple split times without resetting the clock — handy for tracking each round of a workout or each leg of a multi-part task.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is a browser-based stopwatch?
It's accurate to the millisecond for practical purposes like workouts, cooking, and everyday timing — though for scientific or competitive timing requiring sub-millisecond precision, dedicated hardware is more appropriate.

Will it keep running if my screen locks?
Behavior varies by device and browser; for uninterrupted long-duration timing, keep the tab active and the screen from sleeping.